Del. hunters must register deer

August 25, 2009 9:09:53 AM PDT

DOVER, Del. (AP) - August 25, 2009 --

The Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife says hunters must now register all harvested deer over the phone or online. State fish and wildlife officials say taking a deer to a check station or butcher shop was expensive and time-consuming. The new requirements begin with the 2009-2010 hunting season.

Hunters still have to register deer 24 hours or less after they are harvested.

Hunters can go to the division's Web site, http://www.dehip.com, or call 866-511 DEER to register their harvest.

The state says the new method gives the agency a faster, cheaper source of harvest information within days of the season's close, rather than months.